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Tremper ties for first at Brookfield invitationalKENOSHA NEWS STAFF

Tremper’s Kari Kirkagaard pulled off a crucial victory at No. 2 singles in the final match of the tournament as the Trojans finished in a three-way tie for first place at the two-day Brookfield Central Invitational Saturday.

It was Tremper’s highest finish ever at the longtime tournament, according to Tremper coach Tom Pacetti.

“It was a lot of fun,” Pacetti said. “We played a lot of players and they all had high-quality matches.”

Kirkagaard pulled off the most exciting match of the day. With both teams huddled around the court, Kirkagaard came through in a three-set marathon win over Claire Buse of Glenbard West (Ill.), 6-2, 5-7, 12-10.

The victory gave the Trojans a 4-3 win over Glenbard West and secured a first-place team finish.

“It was one of those moments, kind of like a buzzer-beater in basketball,” Pacetti said.

“It was a nailbiter with lots of pressure. It was a nice character-builder for our team.”

Tremper finished 3-1 at the tournament. The Trojans opened with a 4-3 victory over Fond du Lac on Friday before winning two of three matches Saturday. Tremper lost to Brookfield Central 5-2 and defeated Big Foot 7-0.

Brookfield Central and Glenbard West also went 3-1. Glenbard West handed Brookfield Central its only loss.

Kirkagaard also won a pair of matches with teammate Sonja Johnson at No. 2 doubles. The duo defeated Fond du Lac’s Mallory Mihelich and Ellie Waters, 6-3, 6-4 and beat Big Foot’s Sarah Abel and Zoe Klesmith, 6-0, 6-1.

The Trojans recorded their two victories against Brookfield Central at the top flights. Tremper’s No. 1 singles player Megan Humphreys defeated Jessica Tang, 6-2, 6-2, while the Trojans’ No. 1 doubles team of Jenny Humphreys and Brianna Riley knocked off Sara Strohmaier and Jenna Olmoen, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

n Lancers second: Gina Matteucci won all three of her matches to stay perfect in leading St. Joseph to a second place finish in the Palatine (Ill.) Invitational.

Gina Matteucci did not drop a set in improving to 14-0. Warren (Ill.) won the four-team meet with 15 points while St. Joseph had 14.

St. Joseph defeated Palatine 6-0, Schaumburg (Ill.) 6-0 before losing to Warren 4-2.

Amanda Dick, the Lancers’ No. 1 singles player, was 2-1. She has won 15 of her 17 matches this year. Also for St. Joseph, doubles team Michelle Pierce and Kendall Bonnin were 3-0 while Alaina Anderson and Megan Irving; Kelcy Owens and Claire Skuble and Bridget O’Tool and Kristen Kalinka were all 2-1.